Pablo Aimar

The transfer of Pablo Aimar to Valencia in January 2001 for a record-breaking 24 million euro fee signaled his arrival as one of the most creative attacking midfielders in European football. Known as El Payaso and El Mago, he became a central figure for both club and country, influencing players like Lionel Messi and Andrés Iniesta.

Early Development and River Plate Success

Born in 1979 in Río Cuarto, Argentina, Aimar began his professional journey after being recruited for the youth academy at River Plate. Despite initial hesitation from his father, manager Daniel Passarella convinced the family to allow him to join. He made his senior debut on 11 August 1996 against Colón. Over the next four years, he recorded 21 goals and 28 assists in 82 league appearances, securing six titles before his departure in December 2000.

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Spanish La Liga and European Impact

At Valencia, Aimar became a key figure in the midfield under manager Héctor Cúper, reaching the 2001 UEFA Champions League final. Under Rafael Benítez, he helped the club secure the 2001–02 La Liga championship, ending a 31-year drought. Despite recurring injuries, he later played a major role in the club's league and UEFA Cup double. Following his stint in Valencia, he joined Real Zaragoza in 2006, where he played 57 matches over two seasons before the club's relegation.

Benfica and Later Career

Aimar moved to Portuguese club Benfica in 2008 for a fee of 6.5 million euro. He found success during the 2009–10 season, forming an effective attacking partnership with teammates Javier Saviola, Óscar Cardozo, and Ángel Di María, which led to a league and cup double. He concluded his time in Portugal in 2013 with 179 official appearances. Later that year, he signed a two-year contract with Johor Darul Ta'zim, becoming the highest-paid player in the Malaysia Super League.

International Coaching Tenure

A veteran of 52 caps for the Argentina senior team, Aimar appeared in two FIFA World Cups and two Copa América tournaments. In 2018, he transitioned into coaching, joining the Argentina national team staff as an assistant. During his tenure, the squad achieved significant international success, winning the 2021 Copa América, the 2022 Finalissima, the 2022 World Cup, and the 2024 Copa América.